Is Mercedes boss Wolff praising Verstappen here? 'That includes the driver'

Mercedes are well aware that catching up with Red Bull Racing and Max Verstappen - let alone overtaking them - in 2024 will be a hell of a task. The Austrian team had such a good base with the RB19 for the upcoming season that Verstappen and co are starting again as favourites. Meanwhile, Mercedes hopes above all that the revised design of the new car is a hit.

When the regulations are completely overhauled in 2026, everyone will start from scratch again. Mercedes is hopeful that from then on old times will be revived. In the meantime, the Germans certainly do not want to rest on their laurels, because according to Wolff, Red Bull should not be given a free ride on their way to the titles in '24. "It's not like that, that would be wrong," Wolff believes, speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport.

'Red Bull Racing is ahead in all areas'

"Putting all your energy into 2026 is dangerous. In the past, some teams have done something like this and failed. You always have to do the maximum, because you learn from that. Red Bull are ahead in terms of the package - including the driver - but it's fine to beat them as early as 2024 or next season. You can't start a year and say you're not going to win."

Wolff is referring to McLaren's rapid rise during the previous season. The British team managed to develop from virtually at the back of the grid to become one of Red Bull Racing's main opponents - incidentally without snatching a win from the Austrians. According to Wolff, the feedback he has received from the simulator drivers is also encouraging: they tell him that the car for '24 is very different from that of '23.

But, Wolff says: "It doesn't mean much yet, we are going to see what happens. You fail a few times and get up again. Several times if necessary."